Aircraft cargo loader

Abstract

A cargo loader platform having an array of roller assemblies on the deck thereof which are capable of moving a container longitudinally or laterally or rotating it includes several independently driven groups of roller assemblies. The groups include groups along the sides of the platform having drive axes parallel to the loader axis, groups near the center of the platform having a separate drive axes that are perpendicular to the loader axis, and groups down the center of the platform having drive axes parallel to the loader axis. Large diameter, driven cylindrical rollers are mounted on the outer sides of the sides and rear end of the platform to assist in moving cargo onto the deck.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A platform for use in loading and/or unloading one or more cargo containing objects such as containers or pallets onto or from an adjacent surface, including; 
       a deck having one end disposable adjacent the surface, an opposite end and longitudinally extending sides, and  
       an array of roller assemblies rotatably mounted on the deck in position to support the objects, including  
       first and second groups of laterally spaced, generally parallel roller assemblies each along a side of the deck and selectively rotatable in opposite directions about longitudinal axes in order to move an object longitudinally onto or off of the deck,  
       third and fourth groups of roller assemblies extending longitudinally along the inboard side of each of the first and second groups, and selectively rotatable in opposite directions about lateral axes, whereby, those of the third and fourth sets may be rotated with one another in the same direction or in the opposite direction, and  
       a fifth group of roller assemblies extending longitudinally between the third and fourth groups and having a pair of longitudinally spaced portions each portion including laterally spaced and long extending sets with each set being selectively rotatable in the same or different directions as the other, and  
       means for rotating the roller assemblies in such a manner that an object may be loaded longitudinally from the adjacent surface onto the deck or from the deck onto the adjacent surface or from the surface onto the platform by rotation of third and fourth groups of roller assemblies in the same direction as one another, as the first, second and fifth groups remain passive, and, when loaded on the deck, the object may be rotated about a vertical axis centered generally equidistant the sets of the fifth group as well as equidistant the third and fourth groups by simultaneous rotation of the roller assemblies of the third and fourth groups in opposite rotational directions with respect to one another and rotation of the assemblies of the spaced portions of the fifth group in the opposite directions with respect to one another.  
     
     
       2. As in  claim 1 , wherein, 
       there are a pair of sets in the fifth group which are longitudinally aligned and in spaced relation, with the rollers of the sets being rotatable about longitudinally spaced centers in opposite directions, whereby  
       each of a pair of relatively small objects may be rotated about a center independently of the other object and thus in the same or opposite rotational direction.  
     
     
       3. As in  claim 2 , wherein, 
       there are a pair of third and fourth groups which are longitudinally aligned and whose roller assemblies are driven independently of the other so that a larger object may be rotated about a center between adjacent ends of each of the pairs of the fifth group.  
     
     
       4. As in  claim 1 , including, 
       a rail along each side and the other end of the platform, and  
       a cylindrical roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis outward of each rail and having its upper surface on generally the same level on that of the roller assemblies and rail.  
     
     
       5. As in  claim 4 , including 
       a longitudinal plate mounted within each rail; and  
       means by which the plate may be raised or lowered between positions in which its upper end is generally on the same level as the upper surface of the roller assemblies, when an object is to be moved onto or off of the deck, and in which its upper end is above the deck to provide a barrier to an object which is on the deck.